1. sports
2. golf

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Contact Information:
209-915-8300 or visit
TheFirstTeeSanJoaquin.org
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Sessions are held every
Saturday morning for nine
consecutive weeks at
Swenson Park Golf Course
and The Reserve at Spanos
Park and on Thursday
afternoons at Micke Grove
Golf Links.
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Children between the ages
of 7 and 17 will learn
sportsmanship, respect,
and other core values
while learning the
fundamentals of golf.
201 4 New
Tours tee off March 21, 2015
Mark your calendars!
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Spring 2015 Tour
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The First Tee of San Joaquin Mission Statement: To impact the lives of young people by providing educational
programs that build character, instill life-enhancing values, and promote healthy choices through the game of golf.
Mike Bond Recipient of Ruth Flowers
Spirit Award
Excerpted from Ruth Flowers’
presentation speech
I am one of 20 individuals, business
people and government officials that developed a golf learning program for
youth in San Joaquin County. The San
Joaquin Junior Golf Foundation was established in the year 2000. In 2007, San
Joaquin Junior Golf Foundation joined
The First Tee, and, yes, I’m still here.
I am humbled and exhilarated by the
privilege of having an award presented
with my name on it. It represents not
what I have contributed to The First Tee of
San Joaquin, but what YOU, our volunteers, coaches and donors have brought to
our community youth.
San Joaquin County, and Stockton in
particular, offers a vast recreational program for youth and adults. There is baseball, softball, football, basketball, soccer,
and other activities for all ages. Yet, it’s not
a secret…youth in San Joaquin County
face many obstacles just being kids. The
recreational activities mentioned can be
observed in person or through media. The
behavior that we see, such as pushing,
shoving, fighting amongst players, refs,
and coaches is not the behavior or example
you witness in the game of golf. Yes, golf
is different! Isn’t it refreshing to watch a
golfer remove his hat to shake hands with
his/her opponent, see shirts actually fit and
tucked in, witness players’ accountability
for their own actions and respect for their
peers and audience?
With TFTSJ program in our community,
we instill life enhancing values to our
Ruth Flowers presents award to Mike Bond
youth and promote healthy choices
through the game of golf … and, yes,
the success of our chapter is due to the
dedication of our volunteers.
This is the second year of the Ruth
Flowers Spirit Award presentation. It’s a
rewarding process for me to learn and
hear comments about so many of you.
Throughout my adult life, I have
said, “It takes a single step to start a
long journey.” Thank you…thank you to
each and every one of you for taking the
single step, for moving forward and
dedicating yourselves to the journey of
our program.
The Ruth Flowers Spirit Award recognizes an individual who has shown
tremendous support, unlimited generosity, and growing passion for TFTSJ.
The recipient of this year’s Ruth
Flowers Spirit Award is a volunteer
Please see Spirit Award, page 2
Times
To teach The First Tee Nine Core
Values™ by providing the vehicle
through which kids can accomplish
their dreams, thrive socially, excel academically and athletically, and become
productive members of society with
integrity, strong family values, and
commitment to community.
OUR VISION
Jason Carlson (President)
Global EDGE, LLC
2014 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Jeff Fields (Vice-President)
Peckʼs Jewelers
Cathy Ghan (Treasurer)
Oak Valley Community Bank
Deborah Bond (Marketing/ TFTSJ
Newsletter Editor)
American Hearing Aids
Nicole Bojorques
Tal Sheyn Designs
Joshua Church
Roger Dunn Golf
Wendy Taylor is 2014 Coach of the Year
A good First Tee coach is encouraging, fun, and organized. A good First Tee
coach lets the participants experiment and
find their own way. A good First Tee
coach does more listening than talking.
To quote long time coach Tom Hooper,
it’s much better to let the kids tell you
why they hit the ball the way do. Then
they “own it.” The result of good coaching at The First Tee of San Joaquin is
children who are confident, trustworthy,
and courteous. They are good citizens,
students, brothers and sisters, teammates,
and friends. And, sometimes, they are
good golfers.
This year the committee has chosen a
coach of the year to acknowledge an exceptional person. Next year, this will be
decided by a vote from all of our coaches.
Our coach of the year for 2014 has been
Reggie George
SolarCity
Anna Sass
SASS! Public Relations, Inc.
Ruth Flowers
Grupe Real Estate
Paul Haley
Bank of Agriculture and Commerce
Kim Smith
Kroloff, Belcher, Smart, Perry &
Christopherson
Wes Widmer
Colliers International
Dr. Glen Albaugh
WBW Golf
ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Paul Flowers
Retired
Chuck Richesin
Richesin Accountancy Corporation
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Don Miller - (209) 915-8300
[email protected]
PROGRAM DIRECTOR
Jeff Palmer - (209) 712-7548
[email protected]
Debbie Bond presented the award.
dedicated to our chapter for three years.
Out of all of our coaches, this person receives the most comments from parents.
This coach is the most fun coach we
have–always quick to add flair to whatever activity is happening. Our coach of
the year has the knack of taking a group
of “out of control” participants and
quickly turning them around for engagement in the activity. The sessions always
include safety, core values, healthy
habits, life skills, and oh, yes, a little
golf.
Our special coach is very involved in
a couple of grandchildren’s lives, too.
One of the family’s many activities is
motorsports. Our coach of the year loves
to dance and is in charge of the Friday
night dances every week at the lodge.
And, by the way, she’s a competitive
golfer.
Wendy Taylor is The First Tee of San
Joaquin’s 2014 Coach of the Year. The First Tee of San Joaquin Scholarship:
Plans are underway, watch for details!
CONTACT US
The First Tee of San Joaquin
P.O. Box 77919, Stockton, CA 95267
Telephone: (209) 915-8300
E-mail: [email protected]
Graphic Design: One-Eleven Graphic
Design • [email protected]
Honesty
Integrity
Respect
Confidence
Courtesy
President’s Message: Jason Carlson
As 2014 comes to a close, I’d like to review the amazing
impact The First Tee San Joaquin made within the local
community as well as thank everyone who contributed. This
year marks the most successful year of our organization in
terms of growth and overall participation by both volunteers
and kids. We are now operating out of five different courses
since adding programs at Micke Grove Golf Links and
Greenhorn Creek Resort this year. We still offer programs at
The Reserve at Spanos Park, Swenson Park, and Van
Buskirk Park Golf Courses, and we appreciate the support of all of our courses. We
had over 400 kids participate in our programs at these locations with many coming
back for every tour throughout the year. We also saw record numbers of kids advancing to the next player level within the program. The reason these kids keep
coming back and advancing is directly related to the outstanding dedication of our
50+ volunteer coaches who commit their time to educate kids on the Core Values
while enjoying the game.
This year was also a very successful year for expanding our valuable partnerships with local organizations. We are extremely excited to have partnered with the
Children's Home of Stockton and the San Joaquin County Youth Enrichment
Program. Through these successful partnerships, we were able to reach out to over
75 kids who participated in learning our Core Values while being introduced to the
game of golf. We had fantastic feedback and testimonials from the kids and everyone involved in these organizations. Our goal is to continue to expand on these
types of partnerships throughout 2015.
As we approach the end of the year, I’d like to extend a very sincere thank you to
all of our volunteers, coaches, board members, and staff for making this an amazing
year. Also, thank you to every one of our donors and financial contributors. We
truly could not have the positive impact on the local community without your involvement and continued commitment!
Have a safe and wonderful holiday!
Jason Carlson
Spirit Award from cover
Sponsor Pavilion
“Most important to me
who: is the first one to arrive and the last
is his ability to continually
one to leave; doesn’t need to be asked to
encourage, motivate, and
take the next step; is very perceptive of
other’s needs and acts accordingly; doesn’t stimulate ideas to further the
want to sit still; is a catalyst with the suclearning environment we
cess and expansion of the program to
Micke Grove and has taken the lead to
strive for.”
visit Greenhorn to make sure coaches have
– Jeff Palmer
what they need for the program; volunteers at least twice a week at The Reserve and Micke Grove during season and
helps Jeff Palmer during off season; enthusiastically works on lesson plans; takes
charge when Jeff is not available at The Reserve. If you tell the recipient, “The glass
is a quarter full,” the response is, “Well, we’ve got something in it.” The recipient is
a Level Two coach; plus, would you believe, he has a full time job. This year’s
recipient has continued the journey for three years and counting. This year we
honor Mike Bond with the 2014 Ruth Flowers Spirit Award. Honesty
Integrity
Respect
Responsibility
Perseverance
O’Connell
Grain Company
Confidence Sportsmanship
Courtesy
Judgment
MONETARY DONATIONS
Biggest Supporter: Ricky Barnes Foundation
The First Tee of San Joaquin
appreciates of the great support that
we continue to receive. We know there
is still much to be accomplished. If you
wish to support the continued success
of theprogram, and would like to make
a donation, please contact us:
Don Miller, Executive Director
(209) 915-8300
[email protected]
Donations may be mailed to:
P.O. Box 77919, Stockton, CA 95267
A donation form can be downloaded
from the TFTSJ website:
TheFirstTeeSanJoaquin.org
MATCHING FUNDS
FOR YOUR CONTRIBUTION!
The First Tee home office, with sponsorship
from Legacy Partner Johnson & Johnson,
will give your donations a boost. Your donation can be matched up to $1 for every $2
you chip in. Visit TFTSJ website for details.
LOCATIONS
Greenhorn Creek Golf Resort
711 McCauley Road, Angels Camp, CA 95222
888-736-5900
Semi-private Course, 18 holes, par 72
Micke Grove Golf Links
11401 Micke Grove Rd., Lodi, CA 95240
209-369-4410
18 hole Par 72 Championship Course
The Reserve at Spanos Park
6301 West Eight Mile Road
Stockton, CA 95219 • 209-477-4653
Semi-private Course, 18 holes, par 72
Left to right, Jason Carlson, Reggie George, Mike Bond, Anna Sass, Don Miller, Kelly
Spooner, Maureen Stonebarger, Larry Stonebarger, Kathy Barnes, Nicole Bojorques, and
Anthony. Seated left to right, Debbie Bond, Dick Fichner, Barbara Fichner and Cathy Gahn.
This is the third year the Ricky Barnes Foundation has made a major donation to
The First Tee of San Joaquin. Barnes makes a donation for every birdie and eagle
he scores at his tournaments. Though he was unable to attend the presentation
ceremony, his family and members of the Ricky Barnes Foundation, pictured
above, were present to honor his achievements and dedication to The First Tee
of San Joaquin.
Nature Valley-First Tee Open
The First Tee of San Joaquin enjoyed the second annual trek to the Nature Valley
First Tee Open at Pebble Beach Golf Course this fall. We saw the stars of the
Champions Tour paired with some of the best young players from The First Tee
programs around the country. Tom Lehman
signed
autographs
Swenson Park Golf Course
6803 Alexandria Place, Stockton, CA 95207
209-937-7360 • City of Stockton municipal course
18 hole Par 72 Championship Course
9 hole Par 3 Executive Course
Van Buskirk Golf Course
1740 Houston Ave., Stockton, CA 95206
209-937-7357 • City of Stockton municipal course
18 hole Par 72 Championship Course
Fun activities all day long!
The First Tee of San Joaquin group gathers for a memento of the day.
Angel’s Camp Welcomes The First Tee of San Joaquin
Coachs and golfers enjoy the first tour at Greenhorn Creek Golf Resort.
The First Tee of San Joaquin held its
first tour at Greenhorn Creek Golf Resort this fall with twelve kids with six enthusiastic coaches. “The parents
reported their children really had a great
time,” says Chris Borrego, Greenhorn
Creek’s PGA Pro and site director.
The 18-hole course was redesigned by
Robert Trent Jones II and along with
Mother Nature. Greenhorn Creek delivers one of California’s finest golf experiences. It boasts 18 holes of
championship golf with five sets of tees
ranging from 4,882 to 6,749 yards that
make Greenhorn Creek Resort both
challenging and enjoyable.
Committed to delivering world-class
amenities since opening in 1996, Greenhorn Creek has received accolades from
the top aficionados in the industry. Recognized by NCGA Magazine, Golf Now,
Golf Getaways, California Golf News and
Travel and many more for unparalleled
personal service, well-manicured greens,
and challenging holes, including Hole
13, named “One of the Best in Northern
California” by NCGA Magazine in 2006
and Golf Getaways in 2014.
Greenhorn Creek Resort is located in
Angels Camp, CA, the basecamp of the
beautiful Central Sierra. The course
wanders throughout the rolling foothills
and 100-year old oak trees, and features
ancient structures, underground diggings
and artifacts of that golden era. The resort property, situated at 1,500 feet elevation is ideally situated for year round
golf. In the winter, the resort is below the
snow line, but above the Central Valley
fog.
Executive Director, Don Miller, says,
“Having the The First Tee begin a program at Greenhorn Creek Golf Resort is
a major step towards the growth of our
organization. We are excited to see the
support of the local community to
ensure our success right fromt the
beginning.” Saturday Morning
“Tee Time”
TJ Maxx Supports TFTSJ
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TJ Maxx gives a $2500 grant to The First Tee of San Joaquin. Left to right: Jeff Palmer,
TFTSJ Program Director; Andy Miller, Regional Director TJ Maxx; Don Miller, TFTSJ
Executive Director; and Reggie George, TFTSJ Board Member
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1. She brings all her concentration to bear on the ball. 2. How about a little ZZ Top between
turns? 3.YES! 4.This golfer peruses her yardage book before she answers the next question.
5.C’mon, left, go left...! 6.We’ve got this one! Girls rule! 7. Saturday morning tours begin with
a warm up. TFTSJ teaches The Nine Healthy Habits.
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